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deancarlom

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OK, very new to the HVX. I have a hard drive full of MXF files and no "lastclip.txt" files for miles around. My DP used his PC laptop to copy the video and audio folders only to my HD and now I cannot import the content into FCP. He is a Avid user and says he has no problem pulling in the files. Question: without slapping down $200 for Raylight, is there a way to get these files into FCP? Can I have the DP convert them in Avid, and if so what is the best way of doing so for the greatest compatibility with FCP? Thanks to all. It has been a long night of reading only to discover that those files weren't as needless as I had been told.
 
I think FCP doesn't even use lastclip, does it? You could probably try creating a dummy lastclip.txt file to see if it works.

If you did slap down the $200 for Raylight, you wouldn't have to import those files at all, you could edit them immediately. That's the way to get the best cross-platform compatibility with Avid.
 
Lastclip.txt is necessary for FCP's ingest functionality, especially to successfully merge spanned clips. That said, because your DP was careless(sorry to harp but it's true) you will need Raylight or Panasonic's P2CMS utility in order to edit the footage. Personally I'd probably go with Raylight because it will allow you to work more easily with MXF if you need to try and swap FCP with Avid. Though again I would recommend against this.

Going through Avid is one possible way but you'll likely find even more incompatibility and workflow headaches. So go with Raylight or P2CMS and next time remember- you want to back up, preferably to a mirrored raid all files and folders on your P2 cards. You wouldn't pull the DV tape out of a case to save money would you? :)

-Noah
 
I'd say it's more the producer's fault. The DP's job should be to make sure the photography is under control. He shouldn't have to learn the whole tapeless workflow and act as an AC and storage specialist as well.

I've been hoping these sorts of situations will help convince producers they need to hire digital imaging technicians who understand the workflow and do the proper work for data management. You wouldn't shoot 35mm and then drop it off at WalGreens and expect your dailies in the morning would you? :Drogar-Vampire(DBG)

-Noah
 
NoahK said:
Lastclip.txt is necessary for FCP's ingest functionality, especially to successfully merge spanned clips. That said, because your DP was careless(sorry to harp but it's true) you will need Raylight or Panasonic's P2CMS utility in order to edit the footage. Personally I'd probably go with Raylight because it will allow you to work more easily with MXF if you need to try and swap FCP with Avid. Though again I would recommend against this.

Going through Avid is one possible way but you'll likely find even more incompatibility and workflow headaches. So go with Raylight or P2CMS and next time remember- you want to back up, preferably to a mirrored raid all files and folders on your P2 cards. You wouldn't pull the DV tape out of a case to save money would you? :)

-Noah
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the input everybody. NoahK, I just downloaded P2CMS utility. Should I be able to read the MXF files with this? Do I need to rebuild the lastclip.txt file first? Any direction would be appreciated.
 
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